Isaac Herzog

Grapevine February 18, 2026: I beg your pardon, Donald Trump

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

FROM RIGHT: Benny Lev, CEO of Barak 555; Omer David Keilaf, CEO and founder of Innoviz; Yoav Riesel, CEO of Drive Group; Ohad Kopolovich, CFO of Drive Group; and Dr. Yehuda Elmaliah, CEO of Cogniteam.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee looks on during an interview with Reuters in Jerusalem, September 10, 2025.

Huckabee fires back at Tucker Carlson after interview descends into Israel-smearing

An AI-generated picture faking President Isaac Herzog posing with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, and others, posted by a journalist for The Times on X/Twitter, February 9, 2026.

Tucker Carlson's lie about Herzog visiting Epstein's island is a direct attack on Israel - opinion

President Isaav Herzog tours the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, February 18, 2026.

Israeli President Herzog sends Ramadan message to Iranians, slams Tehran’s ‘reign of terror’


American Jewish leaders voice concern about political polarization in Israel

During a meeting between President Isaac Herzog and a delegation from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Jewish leaders raised their concerns over Israel.

eeting on Tuesday between President Isaac Herzog and a large delegation of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Herzog’s visit brought warmth to Australia's Jews - opinion

As antisemitism surges in Australia, President Herzog’s visit offered solidarity and reassurance that Jews living in the Diaspora are not alone.

President Isaac Herzog meets with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, February 11, 2026.

What did the Netanyahu-Trump meeting on Iran accomplish? - opinion

The fact that Netanyahu was not accompanied by anyone from the IDF suggests that even if something was said on the matter, it was not operational

A BILLBOARD with a caricature of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is displayed on a building in Tehran.

Trump’s intervention turns Herzog’s pardon dilemma into a diplomatic trap - analysis

Trump’s public demand that Herzog pardon Netanyahu has turned a domestic legal dilemma into a political and diplomatic minefield with consequences for Israel’s sovereignty.

US President Donald Trump makes an announcement at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 12, 2026.

President Herzog to press for anti-gun legislation, meets with Arab victims of violent crime

Herzog declared that every local authority should make the banning of guns and violence of any kind a top priority.

Israeli president Isaac Herzog meets with bereaved families from the Arab communities, at the presidentäs residence in Jerusalem on February 15, 2026.

A-G has not begun reviewing Netanyahu pardon request, Justice Ministry says

Clarification follows Channel 13's report claiming an advisory opinion is imminent.

Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav Miara attends a ceremony for outgoing Supreme Court judge Yosef Elron, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. September 18, 2025

Herzog's camp questions Netanyahu’s role in Trump's 'he should be ashamed' comments

On Thursday, in comments to the press, Trump said that Netanyahu should receive a pardon for corruption charges and that Herzog should be "ashamed of himself" for not granting one.

President Isaac Herzog attends a ceremony marking the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat in the Ben Shemen Forest, on February 2, 2026.

President Isaac Herzog brings Israel’s embrace to Australian Jews as protests rage outside

DIASPORA AFFAIRS: Despite protests, Herzog’s trip to Australia underscored Israel's solidarity with the Jewish community following the Bondi Beach massacre.

'We are one big family, and when one Jew is hurt, all Jews feel their pain.’ President Isaac Herzog used his trip to Australia to act as Israel’s comforter-in-chief for the stricken community after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December.

Herzog responds to Trump request for Netanyahu pardon: ‘I am president of Israel’

President Isaac Herzog responded to US President Donald Trump's push to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu mid-flight as he returned from a four-day visit to Australia.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz at the President residence in Jerusalem, December 6, 2025

Trump says a deal with Iran could be struck over the next month

Meanwhile, Trump claimed he was the best friend Israel ever had, and stated that Herzog should be "ashamed" for not pardoning Netanyahu.

US President Donald Trump makes an announcement at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 12, 2026.